DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5541#0423
Chap, xxii.]
BOGHAZ KIEUI.
391
where the women were baking their bread.* At half-past
eight we had reached the barren summit of the chain, which
consists of trachytic and porphyrinic rocks, and trachytic
conglomerate. Descending from this high land we entered
a deep and picturesque valley, well wooded in places, which
we followed in a N.N.E. direction, until we came out upon
the plain of Boghaz Kieui. The trees, which are chiefly
fir, do not grow to any size, as the peasants of the neigh-
bouring villages are constantly cutting them for fuel and
for timber. The valley increased in picturesque beauty as
we descended; the road leading at one time along the bed
of the stream, and then high up along the broken cliffs,
while barren and pointed rocks rose up on either side out
of the decomposing mass of igneous rocks. As we ap-
proached the mouth of the ravine the white scaglia lime-
stone appeared, and at Boghaz Kieui the hills consisted
entirely of it.
Here I was conducted to the konak of the Agha, who
was absent at Constantinople, but was hospitably welcomed
by his Chiaya. Having succeeded in obtaining a meridian
altitude of the sun, I visited the interesting discoveries of
M. Texier, who remained here eight days, making accurate
plans, surveys, and drawings of the neighbouring ruins. A
few hundred yards to the east of the village a considerable
space is inclosed by a high and evidently artificial mound,
the N.E. side of which is formed by massive Cyclopian
walls of huge stones. Half a mile to the S.E. is the site
of another fort upon a high rock defended by deep precipices
to the east, and on the other sides by a glacis sloping at an
angle of 40°, and surmounted by a wall of loose stones.
Several cisterns for water had been dug in the solid rock
upon the summit, and the ground was strewed with frag-
ments of vases and of pottery. I subsequently learnt that
Ml Texier, in the course of his excursions, had discovered
* A lump of unleavened dough, weighing perhaps a couple of ounces, is rolled
out until it is above two feet in diameter, and as thin as a wafer. This is laid on
the bottom of a large cauldron, under which is a small fire. It is only left a few
minutes, and is in fact merely dried, for it remains soft, and when served to a guest
is folded up like a damp napkin.
BOGHAZ KIEUI.
391
where the women were baking their bread.* At half-past
eight we had reached the barren summit of the chain, which
consists of trachytic and porphyrinic rocks, and trachytic
conglomerate. Descending from this high land we entered
a deep and picturesque valley, well wooded in places, which
we followed in a N.N.E. direction, until we came out upon
the plain of Boghaz Kieui. The trees, which are chiefly
fir, do not grow to any size, as the peasants of the neigh-
bouring villages are constantly cutting them for fuel and
for timber. The valley increased in picturesque beauty as
we descended; the road leading at one time along the bed
of the stream, and then high up along the broken cliffs,
while barren and pointed rocks rose up on either side out
of the decomposing mass of igneous rocks. As we ap-
proached the mouth of the ravine the white scaglia lime-
stone appeared, and at Boghaz Kieui the hills consisted
entirely of it.
Here I was conducted to the konak of the Agha, who
was absent at Constantinople, but was hospitably welcomed
by his Chiaya. Having succeeded in obtaining a meridian
altitude of the sun, I visited the interesting discoveries of
M. Texier, who remained here eight days, making accurate
plans, surveys, and drawings of the neighbouring ruins. A
few hundred yards to the east of the village a considerable
space is inclosed by a high and evidently artificial mound,
the N.E. side of which is formed by massive Cyclopian
walls of huge stones. Half a mile to the S.E. is the site
of another fort upon a high rock defended by deep precipices
to the east, and on the other sides by a glacis sloping at an
angle of 40°, and surmounted by a wall of loose stones.
Several cisterns for water had been dug in the solid rock
upon the summit, and the ground was strewed with frag-
ments of vases and of pottery. I subsequently learnt that
Ml Texier, in the course of his excursions, had discovered
* A lump of unleavened dough, weighing perhaps a couple of ounces, is rolled
out until it is above two feet in diameter, and as thin as a wafer. This is laid on
the bottom of a large cauldron, under which is a small fire. It is only left a few
minutes, and is in fact merely dried, for it remains soft, and when served to a guest
is folded up like a damp napkin.